In view of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's poor health, Pranab Mukherjee has canceled his two day tour of Maharashtra according to news from reliable sources on Thursday.

The tour was initially scheduled to present the Jamnalal Bajaj Awards in Mumbai today evening and the move to Ahmednagar district tomorrow for the inauguration of the Sai Ashram at the Shri Sai Baba Temple at Shirdi.

After the media asked why the visit was inadvertently canceled, Rashtrapati Bhavan officials told the IANS that “Bal Thackeray's ill health” was the reason.
It is known that Thackeray, 86, had been suffering from several ailments due to age and also respiratory illness. His condition was very severe yesterday night, the doctors said, and he had to be on life-support with continuous oxygen supply. A source said that he was not on ventilator.

Anxious supporters have congregated outside Matoshri in Bandra while the relatives and the closest members of the family still stand by Balasaheb.

Security in the area was beefed up, police all over the city were asked to be vigilant and Maharashtra government has declared red alert.
More than 350 police personnel, plus the Rapid Action Force and other contingents, led by top officers, have stationed police for tight security in the surrounding areas.

(AW- Anil)